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Cliff Owen / AP
Gustavo Torres, director of Casa in Action, center, and others chant during a rally of immigration rights organizations, in front of the White House on Thursday. They called on President Barack Obama to fulfill his promise of passing comprehensive immigration reform.
Hispanic voters, who were instrumental in putting Barack Obama back in the White House, now hope the president will work diligently in his second term to cross some big to-dos off their legislative wish list: jobs, affordable education, health care access and immigration reform.
Hispanics voted for Obama over Mitt Romney by a resounding 71 percent to 27 percent and may have put him over the top in several key swing states. The total number of potential Hispanic voters this year reached a record 23.7 million – up about 80 percent since 2000 – and Hispanics now compose about 10 percent of the total electorate, according to the Pew Hispanic Center.
“The Latino electorate arrived Tuesday, there’s no question about it,” said Rafael Collazo, director of political campaigns for the National Council of La Raza. The organization, which bills itself as the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, says it helped register more than 90,000 new Hispanic voters this year.
“States like Florida, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, even Ohio -- the Latino vote was a net gain for the preferred candidate and was the deciding factor or at least very, very close to being the decisive factor,” Collazo told NBC News.
"The Latino giant is wide awake, cranky and is taking names,” labor leader Eliseo Medina, of the Service Employees International Union, told NBC Latino.
With the election behind them, Hispanics now want Obama and Congress to work on issues identified in surveys as their priorities – more jobs, affordable health care, access to higher education and immigration reform.
GOP faces immigration fight after election
The latter issue has been more important for Hispanics than for other U.S. voters, said Mark Hugo Lopez, associate director of the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization.
Hispanic support for Obama was high even before he announced in June that the government will stop deporting, and begin granting work permits to, some undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children.
“However, when it comes to asking Hispanics which party is more concerned for the Hispanic community, after the deferred action program was announced the (Democratic) share went from 45 to 61 percent – the highest we’ve measured in Pew Hispanic surveys in 10 years,” Lopez said.
“In his acceptance speech, Obama mentioned that comprehensive immigration reform was something that needed to be addressed, and we’re going to hold him to that,” Collazo told NBC News.
The day after the election, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised to introduce an immigration reform package next year. He said if Republicans block the legislation, they would do so "at their peril."
Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union and former chairman of the Republican Party in Florida, agreed that the immigration debate has been detrimental for the GOP.
“Across the board generationally and demographically, the immigration issue has become a wedge issue … because it’s become a litmus test of respect and caring in that community,” Cardenas said. “My advice for conservatives and the party as a whole is to get bipartisan immigration reform done in next 100 to 200 days.”
A survey of Hispanic voters by the firm Latino Decisions found that Hispanics pushed Obama over the top in Colorado, Florida and Nevada, swing states where they turned out in unusually high numbers.
Cardenas said the GOP can’t pay short shrift to minority groups if it wants to put a Republican in the White House.
NBC Latino: We voted – now let’s get to work, say Latinos after historic vote for Obama
“The so-called mainstream vote is no longer sufficient,” he said. “The coalition of all of these minority votes is a priority in these elections today. The Hispanic vote is the most numerically significant of all of these groups. We need to develop a precise, aggressive, winning political game plan to address that community.”
The Hispanic community is a diverse one, according to the Pew Center's Lopez:
- Country of origin: Among eligible Hispanic voters, 58 percent are Mexican Americans, 14 percent are Puerto Ricans, and 6 percent are Cubans. (The remainder are from Central and South America). Historically, Cubans have supported Republican candidates more than other Hispanic groups; in Florida this year, 49 percent of Cubans went for Obama and 47 percent for Romney.
- Youth: People ages 18-29 make up about a third of all eligible Hispanic voters, but just 20 percent of all general voters.
- Naturalized U.S. citizens: Among Hispanic eligible voters, 25 percent are immigrants who are naturalized. But among whites, only 3 percent are naturalized U.S. citizens.
Callazo said that despite this diversity, Hispanics displayed a rather consistent, Democratic-leaning voting pattern across many states.
“The numbers of how Latinos voted in Arizona compared to Ohio and Colorado were fairly close,” Callazo said.
“Yes, there are differences and nuances … but if you look at the polling and all the anecdotal work and the outreach we’ve done over the years, the core issues are very, very similar," he added. "At end of day, Latino voters are voting for the candidate they feel will best reflect their values."
NBC Latino contributed to this story.
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With the unfortunate re-election of Barack Obama, America is truly lost. The people coming across the border, beit Mexican, Peurvian, etc., do not care nor do they love this country as those who founded and died for it. They want a free ride based upon some disasolutional belief that they are 'owed'. A country that used to be a pillar of light for the world to admirer, is now a flicker, soon to be put out by a centralist ethnic group that cares for what it can get for free. I think of the men and women who died for this country in the World Wars, and wonder how saddened they would be to see where their beloved America is now headed. Say Good-bye to a once great country, and remember who drove this country into the abyss. With the re-election of Barack Obama, we have truly witnessed the demise of America. May God have mercy on his soul.
Latinos will soon find out that, like the blacks in this country, the Democrats only care about your vote. They don't care about you. As a matter of fact, contrary to popular opinion, it was the Democratic Party that preferred segregation and keeping the black man enslaved. All you have to do is check history. The Dems preferred the KKK while the Republican Party fought it at every turn. Latinos were nothing but a way to win the vote by promising them things that can never be delivered upon and for which the Democrats will always blame the Republicans rather than fessing up to their own deceit.
you reminded me of something i had overlooked.you are right it was the democrats that promoted and even fought a civil war over slavery.
You know the funny part is that Mr. Obama pandered for the Hispanic vote, and got it. However, since he can't run for the office again, why should he worry about making good on the Hispanic concerns? He has nothing to lose or gain now. I think four years ago, the African American population felt the same way, that he would help to improve their lives, I wonder if they feel the same way now? Unfortunately the newly awoken Hispanic voters have yet to learn that politicians, whether Democrat or Republican, will say whatever is needed to get the votes for office. Doesn't mean it's going to happen though. To the Hispanic population I say welcome to the world of politics.
Exactly. Obama will do exactly what he wants (his own personal agenda) and nothing else. I see a lot of golf in his future. Wonder what we will do when we have a 28 trillion dollar deficit?
He'll blame republicans.
No (Catholic) Hispanic, no (Catholic) Latino, certainly no (Catholic) Mexican-American has any business supporting Imam/Fuhrer/god-Wannabe anti-Christian Adolf Obamanation. And nobody claiming to be Christian has any business supporting Obamanation; nobody supporting Obamanation has any right to claim to be a Christian.
Obamanation, while wrapping himself in a mantle of Christianity, continues more than any other President to work towards an anti-Christian, Godless agenda. And now, he's making war on true Christian Churches. He's "legislating" by decree to make it against the law for them to be Christians. If, God forbid, they comply, then they're "validating" his murderous agenda. (The Kulturkampf of the 19th century and Hitler's 3rd Reich of the 20th both tried to control the True Church to be tools of their regimes. Now, various godless regimes do it, too.) If they stand firm for what's right, they're enemies of the New Order, to be supressed.
Obama odia la Iglesia Catolica!
Down with Obama! Viva Cristo Rey!!
Of course Latinos voted for B. O. in droves. They know and expect that he is in favor of amnesty. Whether it is out of general concern for the Latino population or just a way to pander for votes, they obviously do not care. B. O. will make it easier for people to immigrate here illegally so it is natural for them to support him more. Why do things the right way when the wrong way is easier? The same mentality exists with government support systems in this country.....why work when I can get everything paid for by the government who extorts tax money from the other citizens? The country is going to hell in a handbasket.
"Hispanics to Obama: We helped you, now you help us"
Good luck with that, suckers.
If you truly care about America,if you love this nation,you know that we cannot keep allowing MILLIONS of people to come here.Legally or illegally
Agreed.............
Oh I see. It's not just illegal immigrants anymore, it's immigrants period. Thanks for displaying your real feelings guys, it's refreshingly honest.
You know, the country isn't full or anything. Ever been out west?
We have 40+million people on food stamps right now. So why don't we just allow a few million more people into the country and feed them too? Try telling that to American citizens, vets, adults and families that are currently homeless and living with relatives, in shelters or on the streets. Tell that to the foster kids that age out of the system and end up on the streets!!! There obviously is still space in the country to build but no jobs to fill homes that could be built. Seriously falconer there has to come a time to take care of the population we already have. I suppose you think seniors and disabled folks could just off themselves and make room for more immigrants???
I'm sorry people but if you are here illegally or your relatives are here illegally then you need to either get legal or GO HOME
Here is an idea. Become a citizen and you will have a lot less problems. Do we need some reforms? Yes. But sneaking across the border in most countries will often get you shot and always result in you being thrown into an ugly prison if caught. In America we apparently let them protest and claim they have the same rights as citizens of the US.
I've got a better idea. Stay in your own country and make a change. This is a global economy, now. Force your own Government to reform; not ours.
Where did you get the idea these people in the picture were illegals?
How could they NOT be? Responsible Latino citizens don't want the illegal here, either.
It's so depressing to see how far this country has fallen. Liberal Progressives and ill informed Democrats have reduced the process of deciding who leads this once great country to a game of who can pander the most to the least productive members of the electorate.
I'm struggling to see any light at the end of this very dark tunnel.
I love it when Latinos start screaming and crying because it p1sses off the rest of America. And I'm not just talking about white folks. The longer and louder Latinos complain the worse it will be for them.
The country is being overrun by the inferior races. They see what the European immigrants, yearning for freedom, have created here and they want some of the fruits of our labor. Gimme, gimme, gimme. We let ourselves be brainwashed by liberal politicians preaching tolerance and diversity. Diversity can only lead to
decay, decline, and destruction. Diversity is the philosophy of the ignorant and the doctrine of fools.
You can scream racism all you want. You can get mad and stomp your feet, but that doesn’t change the reality that the non-European races are intellectually and culturally inferior. A word of warning……this distortion of American culture and destiny is like a rubber band. And the more it is stretched by the lies of diversity and the attacks of the inferior races, the more it will sting when it snaps back.
Umm, I won't scream racism. By your own statement, you are a racist. Why not be proud of it?
well it looks like Mr Obama and the democratic party are being asked to pay up on one of their campaign promises.It would probably be a good idea to at least try and follow though because some of those 23 million voters look pretty serious.If they don't get what they want there might be trouble and i would'nt want to be the one they blame.If Mr Obama can't deliver what they want he will have to hurry and find a way to blame the republicans and bush real quick.
No one will make a fuss. That's why we have the military.
i wonder if that's why certain people are so ready to cut the military
It is a sad state of affairs when elected/appointed officials will sacrifice their oath of office, honor(if any), duty to enforce our laws as written, serve the citizens of america( not necessarily the whole world), place the country they swore to uphold, in a debt that cannot be paid, Take money from people that will work and give to those that will not.AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE THAT CANNOT WORK,overpay themselves, unnecessary junkets for personal self at taxpayer expense,(to check things out for themselves. How many does it take to see the same thing) . Spend $600.00 dollars for a toilet bowl lid?Refuse to deport illegals in this country. Try going to their country illegally. Talk about one sided relationships. I still dare anyone to walk down a street in saudi with a king james bible openly. yet, we excuse them killing our people,place us in jail if we comment offensively?burn our flag,give them billions of tax dollars we have to borrow to give?BUT THE REALLY SAD PART IS, WE VOTE THEM INTO OFFICE AND DO NOT DEMAND A CHANGE OR GO HOME.
Silly, silly Democrats. Go ahead. Give them all amnesty, so they can compete with the other "minorities" that voted for you. LOL. By the time Obama is done, Black will be even WORSE off than they were before he was elected. BRING IT!!
For all you tea bagging pubs,the election is over it ended at about 8:00 pm on the west coast,you lost and lost big.Quit your whinning and worry about your own party,Mitt was the best you got,LOL
Bob, you said what is wrong with this country "worry about your own party" instead of "worry about our country." Too many people voted on the single issue that impacts them rather that on what is best for our country.
Bob... stick to the topic... It is about Hispanics and having Obama help them... That was a useless post.
Rick is right, Dems worry about what is right for their bottom line not the country.
Obama has sold himself to so many special interests, he makes a Baltimore Ho look like a model of chastity. Now they are going to demand he deliver the goods, and instead of him that is scrut, it will be the American nation. Well, we allowed ourselves to be had by a fast talking con man, now we will have to pay the bill. Buy silver, gold, guns and hard assets - American stocks and money are going to be just like German money in 1935 - take a basket full of paper money to buy a loaf of bread.
But, hey, the poeple in Italy, Spain and Greece can tell you that story, chapter and verse.
What about the citizens who were born in the US? I do NOT get free benefits given to me. I do NOT have insurance. I have to work 2 jobs.
Not all Latinos voted Obama..... I don't feel NOT one bit sorry for yall...... BAD CHOICE! Obama did NADA last 4 years....I don't feel sorry for ANY OF YOU! Pay attention next time instead of being followers... This wasnt vote about COLOR... it was a VOTE for change.... YOU GOT WHAT YOU VOTED FOR....stop crying
I am a moderate independent. I do not like or approve of illegal immigration. I think it drains our social services while not putting anything back in. I also do not like the idea of a person becoming a citizen when the reason for it is breaking the law. Having said that, you cannot ignore reality. We are going to have to move to at least accomodate some of this problem because if we don't we cannot solve it. It is not a conservative or liberal issue. It is just a matter of pragmatism. We share a border with a basically uneducated population. It is not their fault, it is their government's fault. They want better for themselves and their families. There is no cure for that. Perhaps we would be better off if we stopped predicting the end of our world as we know it and started working on some real solutions rather than telling each other how things should be in a perfect world. It never has been and never will be perfect.
It is Illegal. No one wanted it in the first place. That is why it is ILLEGAL!!!!!!
Simple. Round them up, send them back, adequately patrol our borders. It sickens me to see war veterans unemployed and our borders unprotected.
This country has changed in population from fifty years ago. It has to "move with the times." There are many different kinds of ethnic groups here, and everyone deserves his/her rights to be free and to participate in The American Dream. I think the Latinos in this nation are right. They voted for Obama, now his administration has to do its best to come through with the promises they made. I believe they will. Obama appears to be a man of integrity who has a heart. I hope the Republicans don't block his every move like they have done in the Past. Let me also say that if we are going to be truly a free nation, as we purport to be, then everyone has to have opportunity to make the best life possible here, whether we agree or not with various lifestyles or ethnicities.
God bless us all, and let's hope for the very best.
"Hispanics now compose about 10 percent of the total electorate"
First off 10% is not a giant. Yes it is something to consider but democracy is majority rules. Sorry
Second is that the government is not enforcing our laws.
If it is illegal then there is a law and a penalty. I would love to know which laws I can break now and get away with. From the marijuana laws to immigration. When did our government start looking the other way. They are just not doing their job. If they are not going to enforce all the laws then the laws are not even worth the paper they are printed on. If states want to change the Federal law then Washington needs to address the law that we have. This "go ahead and we won't do anything" is not how our government is supposed to work.
I don't see what the difference is between Latinos, African Americans, Whites, Asians, etc - everyone who voted for Obama helped him. Some of you Latinos are something else! "we helped you now you help us". I can tell where you came from with statements like that. From what I can see, Obama is trying to do something for EVERYONE - Latinos are not the ONLY group in the country and I sometimes wish they would get over themselves.
Reading all these comments makes me realize just how pitiful the human race is.
The reality is that the Republican Party realized that long ago, about the time Reagan got elected.
Then pray for u all.......
I see the World changing, all races will be treated equal as long as they abide by the laws and rules of the Country. This could be more of a uneasy adjustment for the Republicans than the Democrats. Democrats know very well how they have been treated back in the slavery days. The color of ones skin has always been an issue for many Replublicans. As a little girl, my parents had a hard time trying to explain to me while would people treat other kind people so badly, just because of their skin color. Not to say that all republicans were that way, because their are some black/hispanic republicans. The majority of hatred came from white people/republicans. I didn't vote for Obama because he was black, I saw a man with a heart, compassion, and love for others, and the Country. Martin Luther King saw the dream, and Obama needs to exercute the dreams... GOD BLESS AMERICA
That's part of the problem -- so many blacks seem to have Obama mixed up with Martin Luther King! He doesn't care about you -- his hang-ups with colonial imperialism are what is driving him to ruin our country. IT IS HIS AGENDA TO DO SO!